Posted on May 17, 2017

If captured, a SM's SSN is an open door for the enemy's cyber warfare. Should DoD go back to using serial numbers instead of SSNs?

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When captured, SMs may disclose name, rank and SSN. However, disclosing an SSN to an enemy is giving them a bullet for cyber warfare, especially given the USG's poor record for information security. Wouldn't it be prudent for DoD to go back to using serial numbers ILO SSNs to protect information systems? The USG does not disclose SSNs in correspondence or on line. Why give them to an enemy?

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Posted >1 y ago

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Responses: 13

COL (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

They are - transition is slow, however. New CACs have a DOD ID number on them and it is being used for OERs and NCOERs.

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CDR Terry Boles

>1 y

LTC(P) Brad Johnson
Slow but steady transition, I wish they could hurry up the process. Thankfully they did update our CAC cards. Now if I can only get my sweetie to STOP using my Navy issued Seabag which has my SSN stenciled on it from back in the day 1974 when I went to boot-camp. Gotta destroy that Seabag when I retire when I join her at her current assignment.

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MAJ Joseph Parker

>1 y

COL (Join to see) - What a mess! Understand the systems and interoperability issues, but as a professional, do you think that should be an excuse? Sorry if "excuse" is a harsh word. Sometimes it takes a firm deadline from a stern SecDef to get things done. BTW, (see my question to SSG Livington below) what data is on your dog tag: SSN or DoD ID number?

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COL (Join to see)

>1 y

MAJ Joseph Parker - I still have SSN on my dog tags. They were issued back in 1988 (yes I still have/wear the originals), height of the "SSN for ID" era...

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COL (Join to see)

>1 y

MAJ Joseph Parker - another issue with this is the complicating factor of the DOD ID number being a ten-digit number, whereas the SSN is a nine-digit number. Certainly not an easy switch - a lot of code needs to be changed, tested, and integrated prior to making the switch.

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